So why do people want to become police officers?

Have you ever wondered why people become police officers? Do you remember why you became an officer? It is sad to say but after polling 50 police officers who had over 10 years experience, less than half could remember their exact reasons for wanting to become a badge.
So I ask you again, do you know why people become police officers? If you don’t you should start polling people in your city, county or state now. Every region will be different but many will have similarities. For example, the following two questions were used during my last survey, among 8 others. The survey was sent out to members of my agency who had less than 2 years of service.

1. Why did you want to become a police officer?
a. For the money and/or benefits.
b. For the honor and prestige of the job.
c. Because I was just looking for a career change.
d. None of the above, please explain.

2. Why did you apply for the ____________ Police Department?
a. For the money/or benefits.
b. For the honor and prestige of the job.
c. Because I was just looking for work in our city and the Department was hiring.
d. None of the above, please explain.

With these two questions alone I found that almost 90% of the 300 officers that I polled applied for the honor and prestige of the job. Only 30% applied for my particular agency because of the location while 60% applied for my agency due to the honor and prestige the position holds.

So what did my survey show? It proved to me that the best way to recruit is not with benefits or money but with showing the honor and prestige of the job. A good example of this type of marketing is with the United States Marine Corp. The United States Marine Corp has consistently increased their recruiting numbers by focusing their advertisements on the honor and prestige of becoming a Marine. One of their recent campaign slogans is a perfect example of this type of marketing. The slogan is “We don’t take applications, we take commitments!” This type of slogan not only shows the type of person they are looking for to apply but the type of organization that they foster.

So why do people become police officers? The honor, prestige and respect the position holds. Anyone else who would apply for the job with other reasons may not be the type of person you are looking for.